Ideology, politics, and the influence of values often override evidence-based policy. When there is evaluation conflict, a policy advocate must be prepared to defend their reasons for wanting to implement a policy. Because almost all proposed policies are circumscribed by politics, you should be prepared for some conflict, ranging from having your research ignored, to having the accuracy of your data questioned, to having your personal values brought into question.
Your work as a policy advocate is and should be an extension of your commitment to the social work profession. As such, it is important to continually reflect on how your actions and intentions align with the mission, values, and ethics of social work. For this Discussion, you will consider how your social change project connected with the mission of social work as described by NASW. Additionally, you will consider how your project represents the values of the social work profession.
Explain how your Social Change Project upholds the mission of the social work profession. Cite 2–3 specific examples from your project in your explanation.
Select one core value from the NASW resource that you think is least evident in your Social Change Project. Explain your selection. Include actions you will take to better represent the value in your future advocacy work.
Describe additional steps you will take as a social change and policy advocate to ensure your advocacy work continues to be guided by your social work mission and values as defined by NASW.
Read Chapter 14 of the Jansson text.
Review the Code of Ethics by NASW found in the Learning Resources this week.
Focus on the mission of social work as defined in the section “Preamble.”
Review the six core values outlined in the section “Ethical Principles.”
Review the video in the Required Media this week.
Consider how your Social Change Project in this course reflects the mission and values of social work. It is okay if you find that your project does not align with some aspect of the mission or values—this is an opportunity to reflect and consider how you can continue to strive to uphold the mission and values of the profession.
Explain how your Social Change Project upholds the mission of the social work profession. Cite 2–3 specific examples from your project in your explanation.
Select one core value from the NASW resource that you think is least evident in your Social Change Project. Explain your selection. Include actions you will take to better represent the value in your future advocacy work.
Describe additional steps you will take as a social change and policy advocate to ensure your advocacy work continues to be guided by your social work mission and values as defined by NASW.
Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chapter 14, “Assessing Policy: Toward Evidence-Based Policy During Task 8” (pp. 488–503)
National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social WorkersLinks to an external site.. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
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